Credit: Breaking Media

Mark Smith

Tue 19 May 2026 10:10, UK

Gary Neville has selected Leeds United‘s Daniel Farke as his Premier League manager of the season.

The German was on the verge of the sack before Christmas at Elland Road, but he transformed everything for the Whites to survive with relative ease.

Leeds could hit 50 points with a victory on the final day of the season at West Ham, with the Irons and Tottenham left in the dust in a remarkable run.

Neville did admit he may have misunderstood the question surrounding Farke, but did admit that he is definitely the most improved manager in the Premier League after looking like he was done.

After previous relegations and struggles with Norwich, Farke has laid them to rest at Leeds United.

Gary Neville explains Daniel Farke call

Neville did later admit that he thought he had selected Mikel Arteta, but stuck with Farke, who he described as the most improved.

Noting his relegations with Norwich, it didn’t look to be a surprise that he could have been sacked before this miraculous turnaround in LS11.

Speaking live on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, Dave Jones was shocked by Neville’s selection, although it was clarified later on.

“Jamie has gone for Mikel Arteta, who could be winning a unique double, as we said beforehand,” he started.

“Gary has gone for the Leeds boss, Daniel Farke – where are you going, Patrick?”

Following on from the shocked tone of his question, Vieira was quick to go down a different route.

“Listen, I will go for Mikel Arteta, or I will go for Aston Villa and Unai Emery.”

Patrick Vieira could have been Leeds United manager

Despite the misunderstanding and apparent error, Neville still correctly hailed Farke for his work.

Selecting the manager who is set to win the Premier League is far too easy, especially given the hundreds of millions they get to spend every single year.

Farke and the likes of Regis Le Bris have done something far more difficult, keeping Leeds and Sunderland up despite years of that proving impossible in the Premier League.

Vieira didn’t even acknowledge the German, which is no surprise given that he was beaten to the Elland Road role by the current manager three years ago.

With Farke only having one year remaining on his contract, though, the 49ers may have been convinced to extend that further, with significant backing to follow.

It’s now time to kick on in the Premier League, something Farke and everybody else recognise.